Keansburg was formed as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 26, 1917, from portions of both Middletown Township and Raritan Township (now Hazlet), based on the results of a referendum held on April 17, 1917. The town has been a popular tourist spot since the beginning of the 20th century, through to the 1960's, when Hurricane Donna wiped out much of the waterfront area. Weary NYC residents would ferry over and spend the weekend, or summer vacation to escape the city heat. The boardwalk and town enjoyed its popularity for many years and is now part of American culture. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 10,105. Keansburg is part of the Bayshore Regional Strategic Plan, an effort by nine municipalities in northern Monmouth County to reinvigorate the area's economy by emphasizing the traditional downtowns, dense residential neighborhoods, maritime history, and the natural beauty of the Raritan Bay coastline.

New Jersey Transit, [1]. Train and bus service throughout the North-East corridor, mostly NYC to NJ. Trains from NYC stop in Matawan, Hazlet and Middletown; while bus service is direct with stops throughout Keansburg.edit

Keansburg Amusement Park, 275 Beachway, Keansburg, NJ 07734, ☎7324951400, [2]. The closest boardwalk to NYC is also one of the oldest.editThe 109 year old amusement park is still there, and offers an inexpensive alternative to places like Seaside or Wildwood. Many renovations have been made to the park since the storm that wiped it out in years past, but there is still a lot of history in the park, including the "Spook House" which is one of the oldest amusement rides still running in the United States, possibly the world. http://blog.nj.com/njv_mark_diionno/2010/07/njs_oldest_amusement_park_brin.html

Henry Hudson Bike Trail extends along the bayshore from Keyport though Keansburg and Atlantic Highlands down to Sandy Hook. This scenic trail is mostly paved with several bridges and a few intersections. The trail was built over the old bayshore railway line. A detailed map is available at the Monmouth County Park System website: http://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/page.aspx?Id=2525

Colman's Point. In September 1609, the Halve Maen (Half Moon), anchored along the shores of the Raritan Bay, and remained for five days to explore the estuary and establish contact with local Lenape people (who later become known as the Navesink and Raritan). Four o'his crew were sent up the Arthur Kill and to Newark Bay. Upon their return they were attacked and one of them, John Colman was fatally shot by arrrow. Taken ashore to be buried, the spot was christened Coleman's Point. He was the first european to die by violent means in the New World. The area that is today the intersection of Carr Avenue and Beachway, is the historic location that bears the name Colman's Point.edit

Keansburg Historical Society Museum, 59 Carr Ave., Keansburg, NJ 07734, ☎732-471-0408, [4]. Located along the scenic bayshore of Monmouth County, NJ, our town is rich in history and pride. We would love to have you visit our Museum located at 59 Carr Avenue, on Saturday and Sundays from 12:00-4:00 PM. Your group can also visit by appointment, so give us a call and we will do our best to accommodate you.edit

Keansburg Waterfront Public Library, 55 Shore Boulevard, Keansburg, NJ 07734, ☎732-787-0636, [5]. The Library provides leadership and serves as a source of information for citizens and community organizations, and is an avenue for local organizations to reach the broader community.edit

Centre Hotel & Bar (Liquor Store), 67 Carr Ave, Keansburg, NJ 07734, ☎732-787-6731. Located at the corner of Carr and Centre Ave., it is neither a bar nor a hotel (least not one you want to stay in) but rather a liquor store. They actually have a refurbished bar in the back but it goes unused. This is/was one of the oldest bars in town, still standing.edit

Family Dollar (Dollar Store), 6 State Route 36 W, Keansburg, NJ 07734, ☎732-471-9402. Specializing in imported goods and out of code foodstuffs. One of the most disorganized dollar stores but it is cheap....Yay cap'n krunch for a 1.99edit

Shoal Harbor Lobster Company (Seafood Store), 909 Port Monmouth Rd., Port Monmouth, NJ, ☎732-787-5119, [10]. They have a smaller selection than the Belford seafood co-op but the prices are similar and this place is much cleaner.edit

Bayshore Watch & Jewelry, 66 Hwy 36, Keansburg, NJ, ☎732-787-7899. They have a nice collection of antique watches but a pawn shop by any other name is still a pawn shop.edit

Lentze Marina, 75 First Street, West Keansburg, NJ 07734, (732) 787-2139. http://www.lentzemarina.com/ Full service, storage and winterization marina. Conveniently located minutes from the east coast's best fishing grounds...The Hook!

Monmouth Cove Marina, 200 Port Monmouth Rd., Middletown, NJ (732) 495-9440 http://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/page.aspx?Id=2533 Monmouth Cove Marina is part of Bayshore Waterfront Park which offers recreational opportunities in the Bayshore. No restrictions to Bay or Ocean. Convenient to New York City and just ten minutes to Sandy Hook.

The majority of restaurants are take-out or dine in with plastic utensils. A few worth mentioning include:

Barb's Big Burrito which offers great Mexican food, the burrito is tough to beat.

Anthony's Pizza Villa, located by the roller-coaster. Has quite possibly one of the best slices of pizza on the east coast outside of NYC.

Dixie Lee Bakery, Located on Main Street. One of the best bakeries at the shore. Famous for their Black & Whites cookies. Be sure to try the coconut & crumb buns, but arrive early since they often run out.

El Caribeneno (Spanish & Dominican Food), 288 Main Street, Keansburg, NJ 07734, ☎7324951000. Really good spanish food from very nice people who sometimes forget to answer their phone and don't deliver. Everything is made to order and they quickly run out of certain items.edit

Gem's House of Bagel's (Delicatessen), 284 Main Street, Keansburg, NJ 07734, ☎7327870987. The best italians subs in the area, although they tend to get a bit frazzled around lunchtime.edit

Dunkin' Donuts, 171 Main Street, Keansburg, NJ 07734, ☎7327874949. The one in the Shell Station is reputedly better run than the one in town.edit

Jersey Joe's (luncheonette), 719 Port Monmouth Rd, Port Monmouth, NJ, ☎7327875779. Try the authentic italian hot dog (and sausage) served in a hollowed round peasant bread with peppers, onions & potatoes. They may serve other food but most folks go there for one or the other. Located across the street from the Bayshore Waterfront Park, in what used to be called East Keansburg. edit

Terminal Lunch (luncheonette), 288 Beachway Ave., Keansburg, NJ, ☎732-787-4026. Seasonal restaurant that derives its name from its location adjacent to the former bus depot-terminal and not the fate of its patrons. Located across the street form Barb's Burrito, I hardly ever see anyone eat there and I wonder how it stays open? edit

Shoal Harbor Lobster Company (Seafood Restaurant and Store), 909 Port Monmouth Rd., Port Monmouth, NJ, ☎732-787-5119, [12]. Shoal Harbor Lobster Company is a locally owned Seafood Market and Open Air dining and take out Restaurant. Highlights of this casual, family oriented restaurant include the Clambake, the Seafood Boil, and the Shoal Harbor Stew Consisting of shrimp, scallops, mussels, clams, and the daily catch in a saffron cream.edit

Pirate's Cove (Seafood Restaurant), 901 Port Monmouth Rd., Port Monmouth, NJ, ☎732-787-6581. This place has opened and closed a few times so definitely call ahead.edit

Keansburg has many pubs and taverns. Several can be found along the boardwalk area, including:

TJK Stadium Seasonal bar open all year round. They make a decent burger at this tiki style open air bar. Formally known as the "Stockhouse".

Cabana Club Located on the boardwalk and Beachway. This bar has been renamed a few times through various owners. They have fresh seafood and two bars though the inside one is usually closed. Formally known as the "Miami Club" and the "Alibi"

Jackie Keelen's Bar Located on the Henry Hudson Trail in the old train station building. The nicest bar in town has 26 beers on tap but no food.

Applejack Bar & Grille Located at the corner of Centre and Carr Ave. This place is known as the rudest bar in town but they also have the best food. Formally known as the "Deluxe Bar"

The Marina Inn Bar Located at the foot of Laurel Ave where the creek meets the bay. Some of the patrons here look like extras from a pirate movie. Also known as the "Maplewood Inn".

Ted's Tavern Located on Hwy 36 in West Keansburg. This bar features a fairly friendly crowd on the edge of town.

Mike's Hiawatha Inn, 180 State Route 36 W, Keansburg, NJ 07734, ☎7327870950. Relocated from Hwy 35 to to a new building on Hwy 36, this small bar serves decent pizza and bar food. The bar has a friendly friendly crowd and caters to people too nervous to drink in Keansburg proper.edit

Bachstadt's Tavern Located near Ideal Beach, off of Port Monmouth Rd. This is the oldest of old man bars and one of the few to still sell "set-ups" (Buy the bottle and drink it there)

Note:

Some places in town tend to be local hangouts but most people won't bother you, if you mind your own business. Sometimes, its best to keep your loudmouth friend at home.

Walking around away from the boardwalk area at night is not advised. Most of the crime in the area is youth based vandalism. Moderate precautions will be more than enough to keep you safe.